From April through October, air pollution in the Alamo region tends to reach its highest levels.  The Central Texas Clean Air Coalition and the Air Improvement Resources Committee (AIR Committee), the local governments in the Central and South Central regions of Texas, the Capital Area Council of Governments, the Alamo Area Council of Governments; and the Clean Air Force of Central Texas are joining forces in a “Big Push” to reduce ground-level ozone, the primary air pollutant in Central and South Central Texas. 

 Why is it so important that committed and decisive actions be taken now to address this issue?  While ozone located high in the Earth’s atmosphere protects us from harmful rays from the sun, ground-level ozone can be a health hazard, especially for children, seniors, and people who suffer from lung disease or are active outdoors.  Excessive ozone exposure is linked to lung irritation and inflammation, breathing difficulties, reduced lung capacity, asthma flare-ups, and other lung and heart ailments.  Ground-level ozone can also interfere with the sensitive balance of ecosystems. 

If the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for air quality are not met this season, there will be economic consequences as well:  New businesses may be discouraged from locating in this area due to more stringent regulation, while current businesses may be discouraged from expanding.

Air pollution is a health, environmental, and economic concern that requires a shared commitment from local agencies, businesses, and individuals to ensure the region meets national air quality standards and to protect our communities and the environment.  As part of the Big Push initiative, the Central Texas region is implementing an outreach campaign to encourage everyone—governments, agencies, businesses, organizations, and citizens alike—to be Ozone Action Heroes and pledge to do what they can to voluntarily reduce ozone-forming emissions from April through October 2009.

Because a major cause of ground-level ozone is the interaction of vehicle exhaust and gasoline fumes with sunlight, many such efforts will involve vehicle use and driving habits.  For individuals, actions to reduce ozone may involve driving less as single occupants in vehicles, idling their vehicles less, making sure their vehicles are maintained, or waiting until evening to refuel their vehicles.  For businesses or other organizations, it may involve creating flexible schedules that allow workers to avoid rush hour traffic, compressing work weeks from five days to four, providing secure bike racks and preferential parking for ride sharing, or allowing employees to work some days at home.  Local governments and their agencies may contribute in much the same ways.